Legal Definitions - reckless negligence

Definition: Reckless negligence is a type of negligence that involves a conscious and voluntary act or omission in reckless disregard of a legal duty and of the consequences to another party. It is also known as gross negligence or willful negligence.

Examples: An example of reckless negligence is a driver who is aware of the risks of driving under the influence of alcohol but still chooses to do so, causing an accident that injures others. Another example is a doctor who prescribes a medication without checking for potential interactions with the patient's other medications, resulting in harm to the patient.

Explanation: In both examples, the individuals involved were aware of the risks and consequences of their actions but chose to act recklessly anyway. This type of negligence goes beyond ordinary negligence, which involves a failure to exercise reasonable care, and can result in more severe legal consequences.